GLOBAL SOLUTION NETWORKS

Addressing the

Climate Crisis

with Networks of the Willing and Committed

by Edward M. Marshall with an overview by

Don Tapscott

Addressing  the  Climate  Crisis  with  Networks  of  the  Willing  and  Commi6ed  

GLOBAL SOLUTION NETWORKS

“If humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate evidence and ongoing climate change suggest that CO2 will need to be reduced from its current 385 ppm to at most 350 ppm, but likely less than that...If the present overshoot of this target CO2 is not brief, there is a possibility of seeding irreversible catastrophic effects.” Jim Hansen, NASA

The climate science debate is over. Climate change will fundamentally alter life as we now know it.

Executive Summary

In spite of international efforts to make climate change a top priority, nations have failed to find solutions to the growing crisis. Citizens have used the Internet to create global solution networks focused on climate change to address the problem.

We recommend a “second generation” approach, a governance network that enables collaboration among networks. This requires a new governance model, leadership, a robust technical platform and the will to act now.

Addressing  the  Climate  Crisis  with  Networks  of  the  Willing  and  Commi6ed  

GLOBAL SOLUTION NETWORKS

Pushing and shoving to get a bigger piece of an ever-shrinking resource pie

Failure to act can be attributed to: •  Competing self-interests •  Nation-states jostling for power

and position •  Powerful economic forces •  Disregard for commitments made

before the community of nations

Global solution networks can: •  Increase awareness •  Share knowledge and best practices •  mobilize citizens •  Advocate for policy initiatives, and

implement concrete actions •  Engage in adaptation and mitigation

Issues: Rising CO2, Shrinking Resources

Addressing  the  Climate  Crisis  with  Networks  of  the  Willing  and  Commi6ed  

GLOBAL SOLUTION NETWORKS

Ten Principles of a Climate Change Governance Network 1.  Urgency of Action

2.  Global in Scope

3.  Mobilization of Public Will to Act

4.  Collective Good

5.  The Most Vulnerable

6.  A Collaboration Revolution

7.  A Global Technology Platform

8.  Encourage Local Experimentation

9.  Promote Investment

10.  Leverage Market Forces

A Governance Network for Climate Change

The mission of this governance network would be to support GSNs in climate change to mobilize the public to act on reducing GHG emissions to net zero by 2050.

This meta-network would provide a framework for hundreds of networks to collaborate regionally and by area of expertise, to accelerate their impact in reducing emissions.  

How to Solve the Problem

Addressing  the  Climate  Crisis  with  Networks  of  the  Willing  and  Commi6ed  

GLOBAL SOLUTION NETWORKS

Using Climate Science to Help Cities Plan for Climate Change Impacts •  Leading the research and action

on urban climate change.

•  Developing a shared research agenda on urban climate change issues with stakeholders.

•  Facilitating research collaborations within and across cities.

•  Enhancing cutting-edge scientific, economic and planning-related research.

Case Study: UCCRN

Addressing  the  Climate  Crisis  with  Networks  of  the  Willing  and  Commi6ed  

GLOBAL SOLUTION NETWORKS

Bringing Climate Change Support to the Poorest and Least Developed Countries

•  Climate compatible development

strategies. •  Improving access to climate

finance in developing countries. •  Strengthening resilience through

climate-related disaster risk management.

•  Supporting climate negotiators representing the least developed and most vulnerable countries.

Case Study: CDKN

Addressing  the  Climate  Crisis  with  Networks  of  the  Willing  and  Commi6ed  

GLOBAL SOLUTION NETWORKS

Networks Transforming Climate Change          Network  Type Network  Role Network  Func2on

Knowledge      Networks Educators  and  Scien<sts

•  Create  Awareness  •  Bring  Climate  Science  to  life  •  Convey  new  informa<on  Knowledge-­‐sharing  Blog  and  publish

Watchdog  Networks Observers New  tools  to  observe  climate  change  impacts

Advocacy    Networks Mobilizers

•  Mobilize  communi<es  •  Ac<on  campaigns  to  raise  awareness,  protect  public  private  sector  ac<ons  or  to  influence  policy

Policy  Networks Policy  Advisors  and  Brokers

•  Advise  government  and    business  •  Connect  the  public  and  policy  makers  •  Convene  strategic  dialogs

Opera<onal  and  Delivery  Networks Innovators,  Investors  and  Implementers

•  Innovate  on  carbon  capture  •  Increase  supply-­‐chain  sustainability  •  Develop  clime  change  technologies  •  Public  sector  doers—make  things  happen

Addressing  the  Climate  Crisis  with  Networks  of  the  Willing  and  Commi6ed  

GLOBAL SOLUTION NETWORKS

Global Solution Networks provide fundamental changes in approaches to climate change. The most effective will involve diverse actors and solutions and orchestration of multiple types working in tandem. Orchestrate a variety of network types and solutions. “Laundry lists” dilute and over-complicate issues. Identify critical needs and concentrate on simple tools. Grow a GSN by narrowing its focus.

Individuals can’t make an impact and nations are constrained by conflicting interests; local initiatives can provide immediate results, measureable impacts and scalable solutions. Networked institutions are more impactful.  The energy and enthusiasm of youth, who connect, collaborate and express aspirations via digital networks, is critical.

Implications for Network Leaders

Addressing the Climate Crisis

With Networks of the Willing and Committed

by Edward M. Marshall PhD

Read the complete paper at gsnetwroks.org  

Global Solution Networks:

Don Tapscott, Executive Director Dr. Joan Bigham, Managing Director Anthony Williams, Executive Director For information on Global Solution Networks projects contact us at info@gsnetworks.org

Review all research results on our web site: gsnetworks.org